Númǎ qiān lǐ, gōng zài bù shě.

駑馬千里,功在不捨。

Lit [If] an inferior horse [travels one] thousand miles, [its] achievement is [only due to] perseverance.

Fig Often accomplishment is not the result of brilliance, but only of hard work.

Note [Often said modestly of oneself; note: technically one lǐ equals one-half of a kilometer; see also the preceding entry and bèn niǎo xiān fēi above.]

Topics ABILITY INTELLIGENCE LIMITATIONS MODESTY PERSEVERANCE